International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.

2, No42, April 2014

E-ISSN: 2321-9637

Secure Medical Image Watermarking

Indira Joshi1, Dr. V. N. Pawar2.
Computer Engineering Department, Head of Electronics Engineering Department,
A.C. Patil College of engineering, Kharghar , Navi Mumbai. India.
Email: ipj.indira@gmail.com1

AbstractIn the area of medical applications, where traditional diagnosis is being replaced by e-diagnosis. This paradigm
gave birth to number of applications in healthcare industry like teleconsulting, telesurgery and telediagnosis. All
these applications require the exchange of medical images in digital format from one geographical location to
another throughout the globe via a cheap and fast network such as Internet. However, digital form of medical
image can easily be manipulated through image processing softwares. Insurance companies, hospitals as well
as patients might want to modify the medical images for a number of reasons. The tampered images may be
used for illegal purposes. This paper represents algorithms for Dual watermarks on medical image. Logo as
watermark first and Electronic Patient Record as second watermark. It save storage space, avoid detachments,
save network bandwidth etc. Results show that there will be increase in the accuracy of proposed system and
gives high PSNR value.

Index Terms- DWM (Digital Watermarking), EPR (Electronic Patient Record), MIW (Medical Image
Watermarking), DWT (Discrete wavelet transform)

1. INTRODUCTION
In relation to digital image watermarking, another
area that is drawing attention is the multiple
watermarking, where multiple watermarks are
embedded into single multimedia object [11].
Multiple watermarks are normally proposed as a
method to provide extra security to an image by
embedding two or more secret messages into the
cover image. The goals of such schemes are to
propose robust watermarking technique that has the
properties of confidentiality (only the entitled users
have access to the information), availability (ability of
an information system to be used in the normal
scheduled conditions of access) and reliability.
Reliability can be achieved based on Integrity (the
information has not been modified by unauthorized
people) and authenticity (act as a proof that the
information belongs to the correct person). Moreover,
the scheme should satisfy two conflicting
requirements. The first is that it must not introduce
any distortion in the host signal and secondly, the
watermark must be immune against intentional or
unintentional attacks or removals. Finally, the
proposed scheme must be efficient in terms of
transparency (the watermark is not visible in the
image under typical viewing conditions), capacity
(ability to detect watermarks with a low probability of
error as the number of

cause of a large number of medical images are being

generated in various radiology departments all over
the world. A vast amount of medical images now exist
in electronic format for easy storage and transmission.
However, medical image and the corresponding
patients information were stored separately now. It is
easy to cause information disorder, and increase the
storage space. At the same time, when the medical
images are transmitted on the Internet, the patients
personal information can be easily compromised,
tampered, and the other problem of information
security. It is an urgent need of security measures in
medical information system to serve these problems.
Digital watermarking has been introduced as an
effective complementary measure to traditional
encryption in an attempt to solve above problems.
Digital watermarking technology is a frontier research
field, and it serves an important role in information
security.
Watermarking has become an important issue in
medical image security, confidentiality and integrity.
Medical image watermarks are used to authenticate
(trace the origin of an image) and/or investigate the
integrity (detect whether changes have been made) of
medical images. One of the key problems with
medical image watermarking is that medical images
have special requirements. A hard requirement is that

266

save network bandwidth etc. Results show that there will be increase in the accuracy of proposed system and
gives high PSNR value.

International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No42, April 2014

Index Terms- DWM (Digital Watermarking), EPR (Electronic Patient Record), MIW (Medical Image
Watermarking), DWT (Discrete wavelet transform)
E-ISSN: 2321-9637
1. INTRODUCTION
the image may not undergo any degradation that will
In
relation
to digital
image watermarking,
another
affect
the reading
of images.
Generally, images
are
area
that
is
drawing
attention
is
the
multiple
required to remain intact to achieve this, with no
watermarking,
multipleform.
watermarks are
visible alteration where
to their original
embedded
into
single
multimedia
[11].
A typical model for e-diagnosis is shownobject
in Fig.1.
In
Multiple
watermarks
are
normally
proposed
as
e-diagnosis environment a physician take a image ora
method
to provide
extra
security
to anbased
image
by
set of images,
perform
his own
diagnosis
on the
embedding
two embed
or more
messages
the
image and then
this secret
information
with into
the help
cover
image.
The goals
of the
suchimage
schemes
to
of some
embedding
tool in
alongarewith
propose
robust
watermarking
technique
that
has
the
patient's personal information such as name, age, and
properties
confidentiality
the entitled
users
sex etc. andofthen
stores it on (only
the database
containing
have
access
to
the
information),
availability
(ability
of
the patient historical data.
an information system to be used in the normal
scheduled conditions of access) and reliability.
Reliability can be achieved based on Integrity (the
information has not been modified by unauthorized
people) and authenticity (act as a proof that the
information belongs to the correct person). Moreover,
the scheme should satisfy two conflicting
requirements. The first is that it must not introduce
any distortion in the host signal and secondly, the
watermark must be immune against intentional or
unintentional attacks or removals. Finally, the
proposed scheme must be efficient in terms of
transparency (the watermark is not visible in the
image under typical viewing conditions), capacity
(ability to detect watermarks with a low probability of
error as the number of

images may cause serious results in treatments. With

cause reasons
of a large
number medical
of medical
images
areforgery
being
these
preventing
images
from
generated
in
various
radiology
departments
all
over
has become very important issue.
the world. A vast amount of medical images now exist
in electronic format for easy storage and transmission.
2. REQUIREMENT OF MEDICAL IMAGE
However, medical image and the corresponding
WATERMARKING
patients information were stored separately now. It is
Following
are information
the requirements
of and
Medical
image
easy to cause
disorder,
increase
the
watermarking.
storage space. At the same time, when the medical
images are transmitted on the Internet, the patients
Imperceptibility
- It means
the easily
embedded
watermark
personal information
can be
compromised,
should
not be
human
eye. of information
tampered,
andvisible
the by
other
problem
security. It is an urgent need of security measures in
Capacity
- Capacity for
embedding
payload
must
medical information
system
to servethe
these
problems.
be
high. watermarking has been introduced as an
Digital
effective complementary measure to traditional
Authenticity
entitled
users above
(patient,
doctor)
encryption in -anThe
attempt
to solve
problems.
should
the accesstechnology
to the medical
Digital have
watermarking
is a data.
frontier research
Reversibility
- At the
receiving side
theinformation
reverse of
field, and it serves
an important
role in
embedding
process should be possible to get the
security.
Watermarking
become
an important
issue in
original
medicalhas
image
and embedded
watermark.
medical image security, confidentiality and integrity.
Medical image
are the
usede-diagnosis
to authenticate
Complexity
- watermarks
According to
the
(trace theimages
origin are
of antransferred
image) and/or
the
medical
from investigate
some remote
integrity (detect
whether
changes
have
been made)
of
location
to the other
side
through
internet.
In such
medical
images.
Oneanofimportant
the key matter,
problems
cases
speed
becomes
thuswith
the
medical image
watermarking
is that medical
images
algorithm
should
be less complex
to reduce
the
have special
requirements. A hard requirement is that
execution
time[1].
2.1. Need of Protecting Medical Information

Fig.1. e-diagnosis model [30].

In other scenario, he sends it to another physician in
the hospital situated in some remote location for the
second opinion, who again makes his own diagnosis
and embed the information in the image and sends
back to the sender. This exchange of medical images
is performed through un-secure open environment like
Internet. Numbers of issues are concerned with this
exchange of patient records embedded in medical
images such as1. Authentication: A proof that information belongs
to correct patient and is issued from right source;
2. Integrity: Information has not been modified by
un-authorized users; and
3. Confidentiality: Only entitled users have access to
the information.
These issues also has gained marginal attention due to
the availability of large number of image processing
softwares which can easily copy or modify the
images. Thus medical images can easily be copied or
tampered with for illegal purposes, for example
getting fake health insurance claim from some
insurance company. Also tampering of medical

Telemedicine can be divided into number of medical

related technologies using computers for distant
health care, for example teleradiology, telepathy,
telecare,
telesurgery,
teledermatology
and
teleneurology [1, 2] Teleradiology is clinically
beneficial and cost-effective alternate to conventional
specialist treatment [3, 4]. It provides the
infrastructure for rapid response to highly important
medical care independent of the geographical barriers.
Critically ill or injured patients can be treated locally
by effective communication with a distant specialist
provided by wireless technology [5]. Flexible and
rapid access to expert opinion and advice at the point
of care is also provided with improved management
of medical resources [6].
Patients requiring care would benefit from locally
provided services as they would have immediate
access to a second opinion if required. A likely
scenario may be the patient in a remote location, who
would have the exibility to call their specialist. A
mobile phone could be used to discuss the
management of medical problem along with the
transmission of diagnostic images. Early methods of
care for patients in these locations imply
transportation to hospital, assessment, admission,
diagnosis, treatment, and eventually results in the
patient being discharged. Long journeys from remote
locations to a central hospital are a problem for

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International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No42, April 2014

E-ISSN: 2321-9637
families and weaken the connection with primary
health care and social services [7]. If the local or
remote hospital has the facilities for effective wireless
telemedicine, diagnosing or treating specialists can
know nearly as much about the patients if they are
examining them directly. Admission is less complex
and may result in fewer patients requiring admission
and treatment. This is the cost effective solution for
hospitals where funding may be limited. One of the
most pressing challenges in communicating any type
of medical data over long distances in a wireless
environment is to maintain that the data has not been
changed during communication in an undesirable
way.
Medical images are very crucial and important part of
medical information. In a number of medical
applications, medical images require special safety
and confidentiality, because critical judgment is done
on the information provided by medical images.
Therefore, they must not be changed in an illegitimate
way; otherwise an undesirable outcome may ensue
due to loss of essential information.
2.2 Advantages of Electronic Patient Records
EPRs and the ability to exchange health information
electronically can help you provide higher quality and
safer care for patients while creating tangible
enhancements for your organization [34]. EHRs help
providers better manage care for patients and provide
better health care by[34];

Providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete

information about patients at the point of care

Enabling quick access to patient records for more

coordinated, efficient care.

Securely sharing electronic information with

patients and other clinicians

Helping providers more effectively diagnose

patients, reduce medical errors, and provide
safer care

Improving patient and provider interaction and

communication, as well as health care
convenience.

Enabling safer, more reliable prescribing

Helping promote legible, complete

documentation and accurate, streamlined coding
and billing

Enhancing privacy and security of patient data

Helping providers improve productivity and

work-life balance.

Enabling providers to improve efficiency and

meet their business goals.

Reducing costs through decreased paperwork,

improved safety, reduced duplication of testing,
and improved health.

3. FOUNDATIONS
METHEDOLOGY
3.1 .

OF

PROPOSED

Discrete Wavelet Transform

Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT) of image

produces the multi-resolution representation of image.
A multi-resolution representation provides a simple
hierarchical framework for interpreting the image
information. At different resolutions, the details of an
image generally characterize different physical
structures of the image. At a low level resolution,
these details correspond to the larger structures which
provide the image content. Wavelet transformation
consist of two main steps namely DWT and IDWT
(Inverse DWT). DWT segments a digital signal into
high frequency quadrant and low frequency
quadrants. The low frequency quadrant is split again
into two more parts of high and low frequencies and
this process is repeated till the signal has been entirely
decomposed. In watermarking, generally 1-5 level of
decompositions is used. The reconstruct of the
original signal from the decomposed image is
performed by IDWT. Several types of wavelets exist
for decomposition. Some examples include Haar,
Daubeschies, Coiflets, Symlets, Morlets, Mexican Hat
Meyer and Biorthogonal wavelets. More generally,
application of DWT divides an image into four subbands (Figure1a), which arise from separable
applications of vertical and horizontal coefficients.
The LH, HL and HH sub-bands represents detailed
features of the images, while LL sub-band represents
the approximation of the image. To obtain the next
coarse level, the LL sub-band is further be
decomposed (Figure 1b), thus resulting in the 2-level
wavelet decomposition. The level of decomposition
performed is application dependent. The present work
considers decomposition up to two levels.

Figure 2: Wavelet Decompositions [33]

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International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No42, April 2014

E-ISSN: 2321-9637
3.2.

Arnold Scrambling Transform (AT)

Scrambling transformation [4] as a means of

encrypted technology is applied in the pretreatment
stage of the watermarking, after scrambling
transformation, one meaningful watermarking will
become a meaningless, chaotic image. If you do not
know the scrambling algorithm and keys, the attacker
cannot recover it even if he gets the watermarking
from the embedded watermarking. And thus plays a
role of secondary encryption. Additionally, after
scrambling transformation, it will upset the
relationship between the space locations of pixels and
make it evenly distributed in all space of the carrier
image. This will improve the robustness of the
algorithm. Two-dimensional Arnold scrambling
transformation is defined as follows:

Fig.4. A. Watermarked
Watermark.

Image.

Extracted

Arnold Transform has special property that given

image comes to its original state after specific number
of iterations. These specific number of iterations
termed as Arnold Periodicity. Hence Arnold
Transform is used as efficient technique for increasing
security in watermarking schemes [31].

4. PROPOSED SYSYTEM
Wherein, x, y is the pixel coordinates of the original
space: x, y is the pixel coordinates after iterative
computation scrambling; N is the size of the
rectangular image, also referred to as a step number.
By the above formula the corresponding inverse
transform formula can be obtained [4].

4.1. Frame work of proposed system

Following figure shows the work structure of
proposed system.
.

It is easy to restore the original initial state according

to the corresponding iterations.
Arnold transformation is cyclical, when iterate to a
step, will regain original image. So if you do not
know cycle and iterations, you will not be able to
restore the image. Therefore, cycle and iterations can
exist as a private key. Meanwhile, different image,
because the desired effect is different, iterations
should also be changed according to your need.

Fig.5. Proposed system work structure.

Fig.3. A. Watermark 1. Hospital Logo.
B. Arnold scrambles of hospital logo

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International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No42, April 2014

E-ISSN: 2321-9637

5.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

This section reports the result obtained for one such

set. Similar results were observed for all other images
also. The cover image, watermark1 and 2 images and
extracted image with PSNR value is shown in Figure
7 to 10.
Fig.7 shows gray scale base images of size 512 x 512
which is as host image.

Fig. 9. Extracted watermark1 and watermark2.

Table1. Results for CT scan and MRI Imaging

Type of
Imaging
Size
MSE
PSNR
6.
Fig.6.. Original /Host MRI image of size 512x512

Fig.7 A. Watermark1. Logo. B. Watermark2 EPR

Fig.8. shows the logo as watermark1 and the second
watermark is EPR. as shown in fig.8.b. The algorithm
was tested on more standard images and other gray
scale images. Figure.6-9 shows few more examples
and results for image watermarking.

Fig.8. Watermarked Image.

CT Scan
Imaging
512x512
0.2991
53.37db

MRI Imaging

512x512
0.1370
56.76db

CONCLUSION AND FUTUREWORK

Focus will be given on Dual methodology for

developing the Medical image watermarking system
as it can combine the advantages of EPR data hiding
for Less storage space and avoid detachment along
with logo watermark for authentication. And additive
security is maintained by applying Arnold transform
on both the watermarks.
Experimental results proved that the proposed
algorithm is efficient in terms of quality and further,
the results also proved that storing watermarks using
DWT and Arnold Transform provides more
robustness to the proposed technique. The present
work uses gray scale images of image.md dataset.
The embedding process when tested on various
standard
images
performed
watermarking
imperceptibly and no visible traces or distortions
could be noted in the resultant watermarked copies.
For objective measurement of the quality of the
watermarked images. PSNR was measured. And the
results for various test cases showed that PSNR values
are even better.
Proposed system uses DWT approach for embedding
the watermark, instead of DWT use of Complex
Wavelet Transform (CWT) will make the system
more robust.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We take this opportunity to express my hearty thanks
to all those who helped me in the completion of my
project work. We are very grateful to the authors of
various articles on the Internet, for helping us become
aware of the research currently ongoing in this field.

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E-ISSN: 2321-9637

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